Windsor swimmer makes waves at open water event

Alastair Bingham took the title of the fastest swimmer at the1.7m Boulters to Bray event once again, with a time of 29 minutes.

The 17-year-old from Maidenhead was one of more than 170 swimmers who took on the stretch of the Thames between Boulters Lock in Maidenhead and The Waterside Inn in Bray on Saturday, July 6.

Alastair, who competed in the junior mens category, said: "It was a good swim, I was sprinting as fast as I could towards the end and it paid off.

"I started swimming at the age of five and have been swimming competitively for 10 years.

"It was nice to keep my title from last year."

It was the second time the swim had been held following a 43-year absence.

It was supported by Express owners the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust.

Winners of other categories included Matt Baker in the open men with 30 minutes, Aimee Campbell in the open women with 34 minutes, Jim Mackenzie in the masters men with 33 minutes, Christine Van Der Spuy in the masters women with 34 minutes and Abigail Dow in the junior women with 32 minutes.

The swim was rounded off with a presentation at Maidenhead Rowing Club.

Even organiser Keith Dixon said: "It's been a great day, we've had a bigger turn-out than last year."